Underhanded tactics

Lei Qianshang threw a punch, the lightning power attached to his fist whistling through the air as it headed straight for Tang Wan'er.

Tang Wan'er looked solemn. With a flip of her jade-like hand, a wind blade shaped like a longsword slashed out.

*Snap!*

With a loud explosion, Tang Wan'er's wind blade was actually unable to withstand Lei Qianshang's power and was instantly shattered.

Lei Qianshang's fist only paused for a moment before continuing its unstoppable charge toward Tang Wan'er.

Despite her wind blade being shattered, Tang Wan'er's expression remained unchanged. She waved her hand, and the wind blades around her gathered like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, concentrating in front of her to form a wall of wind blades.

*Boom!*

Lei Qianshang's punch slammed heavily against the wall of wind blades, resulting in a thunderous blast. The wall trembled several times but remained unbroken, successfully blocking his strike.

Lei Qianshang was greatly shocked. He knew the power of that punch better than anyone; after channeling his lightning power, no one of the same rank had ever been able to take it head-on.

Yet, seeing Tang Wan'er's calm expression, as if she hadn't exerted much effort at all, he realized he had underestimated her. As a fellow monster-level powerhouse, she was not to be trifled with.

After the initial clash, Lei Qianshang let out a shout and threw another punch. Tang Wan'er retreated slightly, her body drifting back over ten feet with the grace of an immortal, easily dodging the blow.

At the same time, Tang Wan'er flipped her hands and formed a seal before her chest. A massive wave of Soul power radiated outward, and the sky full of wind blades began to rotate around her.

Meanwhile, several hundred feet away from the two, the battle between the two major factions had already concluded.

Those belonging to Lei Qianshang's side had all been taken down, their heads covered in large bumps and their faces bruised and swollen. They lay on the ground, groaning in pain.

Long Chen, leading the victorious side, was focused intently on the battle over there; everything now depended on the outcome of that fight.

While everyone else watched that figure, who looked like a Heavenly Immortal descending to earth, with faces full of adoration, Long Chen was silently calculating the combat strength of the two.

This was his first time seeing such terrifying Geniuses. Both were monsters, existences invincible among their peers, and he really wanted to know what their true combat power was like.

When Tang Wan'er's Soul power spread out, Long Chen couldn't help but be startled. He hadn't expected her Soul power to be so pure.

Although she had played a trick on him before, Long Chen hadn't been on guard then and hadn't taken it to heart.

But now that Tang Wan'er's Soul power was fully unleashed, it truly gave Long Chen a shock. However, he quickly understood Tang Wan'er's fighting style.

As Long Chen suspected, once Tang Wan'er's Soul power spread, the wind blades that were originally flying around her immediately seemed to come to life, emitting a humming sound.

“Phoenix Feather Arrow!”

With Tang Wan'er's sharp cry, the wind blades around her suddenly converged, forming a ten-foot-long arrow.

As soon as the arrow appeared, the space began to tremble incessantly. Once the blades had fully merged, it was as if an invisible giant bow in the air had pushed it out, tearing through the world and heading straight for Lei Qianshang.

Lei Qianshang was horrified. Facing this arrow, he found it difficult even to breathe, and he could smell the scent of death coming from it. This was an absolutely terrifying strike.

“Thunderous Rush Punch!”

Lei Qianshang finally realized Tang Wan'er's terror. Casting aside his earlier disdain, he let out a great shout and circulated his lightning power to the limit. Countless dense bolts of electricity surfaced on his fist as he punched out.

*Boom!*

The fist and the arrow collided, erupting in a blinding radiance. The wind blades exploded, turning into a terrifying hurricane that surged outward like a raging sea.

“Everyone, get back!”

Long Chen gave a low shout, telling everyone to retreat quickly. He knew Tang Wan'er's wind blades were composed of wind energy; once they exploded, they would release a massive amount of energy, no different from explosives.

Furthermore, the power of hundreds of wind blades exploding simultaneously was extremely frightening. Hearing Long Chen's warning, the crowd scrambled backward.

Even so, they were still swallowed by the shockwave. Some with weaker cultivation were directly sent flying, coughing up blood.

Long Chen stood at the front. Such a shockwave posed no threat to him, but he was still shaken by the sheer power of such a move.

As the air cleared, Lei Qianshang looked at his fist in disbelief. Blood was slowly dripping from it.

It was clear that in the previous clash, he had come out on the losing end. His lightning power had been unable to completely block Tang Wan'er's wind blades, resulting in his injury.

Although the wound was very shallow, barely breaking the skin, it was still unacceptable to Lei Qianshang.

One had to know that the Lei family's Lightning Body Protection was hailed as one of the most powerful defensive battle skills. Since he had started his journey, he had never been injured.

“Do you wish to continue?”

Tang Wan'er lightly brushed her hand across her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at Lei Qianshang.

“Hmph, although you wounded me, your wind blades were also shattered by me. To put it bluntly, we are merely at a draw,” Lei Qianshang snorted coldly.

He was right. Although Tang Wan'er had injured him, the wind blades she had condensed with wind energy had vanished. On the surface, it did seem like a draw.

However, while Tang Wan'er had consumed her wind energy, Lei Qianshang had similarly exhausted his lightning power. Truth be told, in that last exchange, Lei Qianshang had indeed been slightly inferior.

“If you say it's a draw, then let it be a draw. I don't think there's any need to continue now. Your subordinates have been completely wiped out. According to our agreement, this Nine-Leaf Orchid belongs to me,” Tang Wan'er said.

Lei Qianshang's face flickered with uncertainty. When they had both discovered the Nine-Leaf Orchid earlier, they had proposed a duel, where the stronger party would claim it.

The terms of the duel naturally included their subordinates. Originally, Lei Qianshang's side had the advantage, but Long Chen's appearance had rewritten everything.

Seeing Long Chen looking over with a relaxed expression, like a spectator who had bought a ticket to enjoy a performance, Lei Qianshang felt a surge of rage.

“Giving it to you is no problem, but you must withstand my next strike first!”

Lei Qianshang gave a cold shout, his lightning power circulating once more.

“Since you insist, then bring it on.”

Tang Wan'er's face darkened. She hadn't expected Lei Qianshang to be so shameless as to go back on his word. Feeling a surge of anger, she summoned her wind blades again, but this time, she summoned twice as many as before.

Lei Qianshang ignored Tang Wan'er's anger as a sphere slowly manifested in his palm.

The sphere was composed entirely of lightning power, emitting a terrifying pressure that made one's hair stand on end.

“Watch this!”

Holding the lightning ball, Lei Qianshang charged straight toward Tang Wan'er.

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Tang Wan'er's mouth. Although the lightning ball was powerful and filled with violent energy, it could not leave his hand; it had to be maintained within Lei Qianshang's grasp.

As long as Tang Wan'er controlled her wind blades—even if just one hit that lightning ball—it would surely explode.

So in Tang Wan'er's eyes, Lei Qianshang's move was meaningless, nothing more than a brilliant fireworks display.

Just as Tang Wan'er was about to drive her wind blades to attack Lei Qianshang, his figure suddenly vanished from before her eyes. She was stunned, and her expression immediately changed drastically.

“Long Chen, look out!”

It was unclear what movement technique Lei Qianshang had used, but in the middle of his charge toward Tang Wan'er, he changed direction as if teleporting, rushing toward Long Chen like an arrow.

The distance of several hundred feet was covered in the blink of an eye. The lightning ball in his hand slammed toward Long Chen as a cruel sneer appeared on Lei Qianshang's face.

“Kid, die!”

Long Chen hadn't expected Lei Qianshang's attack to be aimed at him. By the time he reacted, Lei Qianshang was already in front of him. It was too late to dodge, so he could only take a deep breath and throw a punch.

*Boom!*

An explosion erupted, and a blinding light flared, leaving everyone momentarily sightless.

Long Chen felt a massive force strike him, and he was sent flying uncontrollably. At the same time, his internal organs felt as if they were being turned inside out, and countless violent bolts of lightning power were relentlessly ravaging his body.

*Pfft!*

Long Chen flew back over ten feet and spat out a mouthful of blood, causing the entire crowd to cry out in alarm.

“Lei Qianshang, you're looking for death!”

Tang Wan'er's voice was filled with fury. She hadn't expected Lei Qianshang to be so cunning as to launch a sneak attack on Long Chen.

The wind blades around her spun rapidly to form a giant blade, which she swung down at Lei Qianshang. This time, Tang Wan'er was truly enraged.

*Boom!*

The giant blade split the earth, but Lei Qianshang had already anticipated Tang Wan'er's reaction. Before the blade hit the ground, he had already retreated.

“Long Chen, you killed my men, so I've gifted you a Lightning Seed. You will suffer the pain of lightning devouring your body day and night, which can be considered revenge for my brothers. Today's matter ends here. Let's go!”

After speaking, Lei Qianshang waved his hand, intending to lead his group away.

“You want to leave? Do you think I'll let you go?”

Tang Wan'er's beautiful face was covered in frost as she looked coldly at Lei Qianshang. Clearly, she wanted him to provide an explanation.

“Long Chen, how are you…”

Qing Yu was the first to run to Long Chen's side to support him, but as soon as she touched his body, she felt her arm go numb and let out a scream.

At this moment, Long Chen's body was covered in lightning power; anyone who touched him would also be affected by the lightning erosion.

“Heh, Tang Wan'er, just because I admire you doesn't mean I fear you. If you really want to settle things here and now, I'll be happy to oblige,” Lei Qianshang sneered.

The assessment had just begun, and before the final stage, everyone would preserve their strength to compete for the Core Disciple spots.

That was why they all had reservations and didn't dare to go all out. However, Lei Qianshang's actions had truly incensed Tang Wan'er, and she no longer cared about the consequences.

Although she had initially recruited Long Chen to get back at him, after the incident with Zhao Wu, for some reason, a faint impression of him had begun to form in her heart.

Now, seeing Long Chen injured, she was suddenly filled with an uncontrollable rage. She didn't even know why herself; she just wanted to give Lei Qianshang a sound thrashing.

“Let him get lost.”

A slightly raspy voice came through. Tang Wan'er turned and saw Long Chen walking over.

Long Chen lightly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked calmly at Lei Qianshang, saying, “I underestimated you.”

“Hmph, this is the price for your killing,” Lei Qianshang snorted.

“I didn't expect a gorilla to have human intelligence and learn how to sneak attack others. Sigh, times have changed; even beasts have learned to think. How terrifying,” Long Chen sighed with great emotion.

“Trying to provoke me? Heh, keep dreaming. You should just enjoy the pain of the lightning devouring your body,”

Lei Qianshang sneered and led his bruised and swollen subordinates away.

However, he failed to notice that deep in Long Chen's eyes, there was no anger, but rather a hint of mockery.